East County youth earn Girl Scouts Gold Award

Four East County residents earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor, for outstanding commitment to community service. Kathryn Cordero, Maureen Saul, Madeleine Wilson and Kelley O’Leary completed their service projects after three years of planning and preparation.

Four East County residents earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor, for outstanding commitment to community service. Kathryn Cordero, Maureen Saul, Madeleine Wilson and Kelley O’Leary completed their service projects after three years of planning and preparation.

Cordero, of Troop 3131, sought to improve the quality of life for youth newly diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes. She educated children from The American Diabetes Association’s Camp Wana Kura. Cordero, of El Cajon and is a 2013 graduate of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace.

Saul organized a series of health fairs with her church’s congregation to teach people about the benefits of a well-balanced diet and exercise. Saul, from Troop 6028, is an El Cajon resident and 2013 graduate of Heartland Christian High School.

El Cajon’s Wilson provided an eco-friendly way for a local therapeutic horse arena, Horsemanship for the Handicapped, to dispose of its on site manure. A 2013 graduate of Valhalla High School, Wilson is a member of Troop 6348. 

La Mesa’s O’Leary, former member of Troop 6697, gave children diagnosed with epilepsy an artistic and cathartic outlet. Children at The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County drew pictures and wrote about how the condition affects their life. Their work was then incorporated into a booklet and distributed to local San Diego schools. . O’Leary graduated Grossmont High School in 2012 and begins her sophomore year at CSU Chico this fall. Cordero, Saul, Wilson and O’Leary are among 48 San Diego Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award this year.